Canticle of Zechariah

For the people of Isreal

I memorized this prayer last summer when our church had a competition for the Feast of St John.  We have this big bonanza- bon fire, dunk tank, live music, food (locusts and honey), and fellowship.  It's fun times on the longest day of the year!  

Since we've moved to the lake my mornning routine looks a bit different.  We have a well so every morning I have to fill our 5 gallon water filter resevoir.  I decided early on to couple this daily routine with prayer and I figured the Canticle of Zechariah would be good.  As water pours out from the faucet and into the pitcher that I will then carry and dump into the filter the words begin almost automatically.  But this morning I listened a bit differently.

As I prayed it this morning I wondered..."what would the Jews think of these words as they sit litereally in the darkness of death's shadow."

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Isreal

for he has visted and brought

redemption to his people

He has raised up a horn of salvation 

from within the house of David, his servent

as he promised through the mouths

of his holy prophets from of old

salvation from our enemies 

and freedom from those who hate us,

to show mercy to our fathers,

and to be mindful of his holy covenant

and to the oath he swore to Abraham our father

to grant us that free from our enemies

we might worship him without fear

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days

And you my child shall be called a prophet of the Most High

for you will go before the Lord and prepare his ways

and bring his people knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins

through the tender mercy of our God

the dawn from on high shall break upon us

to shine on those who dwell in darkness and deaths shadow

and guide our feet into the paths of peace.